Vagrants

Chapter 33

I received my posting letter from camp and I got posted to a Secondary school quite far from where I live. It was in Lekki. Uncle Jide has a busy schedule and he couldn't drive me there so I had to use public transport. Where I was posted to didn't seem bad, it was a big school where the students pay expensive fees, they dressed responsibly and looked like professionals in their uniforms.

Dowen college was a beautiful and fantastic school and after doing my research, I knew I'd love my stay there.

I was to teach the Senior Secondary school 1 (SS1) students Economics and since I was good at it, I had nothing to worry about. I just had to refresh my memory and read more on it.

The Principal had called a meeting on the first day. Few corpers from different areas of the country were also posted there.

It was the first term of a new semester and I was going to be working with a certain man named Mr. Akinola to teach Economics. He was pretty impressed when he found out that I graduated with a first class in Economics where as he had a Second class upper during his time.

Because he is a full time Economics teacher, he was to teach all senior classes while I'm restricted to just SS1 class and I was fine with it.

Mr. Akinola gave me an honor of teaching the First Economics class for the term while he stood in a corner watching me.

"Good morning class."

"Good morning ma." They rose and then sat back down.

I had learnt that aside saying Good morning, we should also exchange quite a few pleasantries as is the etiquette of teaching.

"I hope you all had a nice holiday."

"Yes ma and you?"

This warmed my heart that I almost blushed. "Yes, thank you."

The students started taking out their books and pens getting ready for the class.

I cleared my throat. "So if I may ask, what do you understand by Economics?"

A lot of students raised their hands so I glanced at Mr. Akinola.

He smiled. "Hey, you! Answer the question."

I was surprised by who he picked because the person wasn't raising his hand.

The boy stood up. "Economics is something that is concerned with the production of wealth."

"I see you like money." I paused. "Who else likes money?"

A lot of hands went up.

"Good. Now, who else wants to define Economics?"

A girl wearing glasses stood up, she seemed to be a nerd.

"Economics is a social science dealing with the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services."

"Can I have a round of applause?"

The students applauded her.

"Now, she said production. Who knows the factors of production?" I asked.

The girl stood up again. "Land, Labour, Capital and Entrepreneurship."

"Wow! I see you've prepared for this class."

Somebody said. "It's because her elder sister is in SS3."

Mr. Akinola hissed. "And so what? Didn't you do it in JS3?"

I smiled. "Okay, let's take down some notes."

"Excuse me sir. Please I need extra pen." One of the students said.

"On the first day?" Mr. Akinola asked.

"No, don't worry." I gave the boy a pen. "Keep it safe till the ink finishes."

The whole class burst into laughter and I thought I made a blunder.

"Who finishes the ink of a pen?" Mr. Akinola asked.

"I do." I turned back to the class. "Economics is a social science subject that deals with human behavior in relation to both ends and scarce means."

"Are we writing?" Somebody asked.

"No oh. We are reading." Mr. Akinola hissed. "Don't start writing, you hear? I'm going to check your notes."

I continued dictating the notes and they wrote every detail down and surprisingly even my explanations.

After an hour of teaching and explaining, the class ended.

*

I was in the Staff room with some free teachers and I had nobody to talk to since Mr. Akinola had gone to take SS3 class.

I was reviewing Economics textbooks and preparing ahead for the next class which was tomorrow when I had a call from Folake.

"Hey baby." I loved the sound of her voice.

"Folake. How are you?"

"I'm fine, you?" She chuckled.

"I'm just okay."

"What have you been doing now?" She asked.

"I was posted to a secondary school so I teach there."

"Really? Which school?"

"Dowen college."

"Are you kidding? That's where Tayo schooled."

"Wow! That's nice." I felt sour.

"Is everything alright?"

"No."

"What happened?" I could hear the concern in her voice.

"I- I can't forget."

"Forget what? Damba?"

"Yes."

"Why? You have to, he is a monster and you have to forget him and move on." For Folake to call Damba a Monster, then I must have been so stupid to fall into his trap.

"I can't. There's something within me." I was trying to talk in codes so the other teachers won't hear it.

"What's within you? Love for Damba?" Folake asked.

"No, it is..."

"Wait, Are you pregnant?"

"Yes." I tried hard to fight back tears.

"Ahh! God! Shey you people couldn't have used condom ni?"

"I'm sorry."

"Have your family found out yet?" Folake asked.

"Yes. I can't abort it now."

"What will you now do?"

"I'll just live with it. I started this mess so I'll just have to fix it and besides I can't kill an innocent child for my mistakes." I sighed.

Folake understood. She cheered me up and spoke to me for a long time before we finally hung up.

"Hi, I'm Cassandra." A girl came to me. She was also posted here too.

"I'm Adeola."

"I teach English."

"Economics."

"Nice to meet you."

She was sitting at a table next to mine and she told me she observed how sad I looked before the call and she wanted to check if I was okay. I thanked her and told her I was okay.

She said I looked better after the call and that whoever that was I should never let the person go. I already knew that Folake was a very good friend and was always there for me. That's the only good thing Damba gave me. A chance to meet Folake.

I spoke to Cassandra a little while longer before she had a class so she left me to review Economics textbooks.